South Africa and Rwanda suspended from US free trade pact

Washington and Pretoria have repeatedly clashed since Trump falsely accused South Africa of carrying out a genocide of its white population. The US said it will suspend South Africa and Rwanda from its free trade pact with sub-Saharan Africa, after months of fraying ties with both nations. Washington and Pretoria have repeatedly clashed since US President Donald Trump falsely accused South Africa of carrying out a genocide of its white population. Being dropped from the African Growth and Opportunity Act could cost South Africa — which already has one of the world’s highest unemployment rates — thousands of jobs. Meanwhile, Rwanda has faced Washington’s ire for supporting militias in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where US companies are seeking to ramp up mineral production. Experts warned the move could push the African countries closer to China, as it battles the US for influence on the continent.